Abueva slot hangs
Calvin Abueva showed up at Alaska and Gilas Pilipinas’ practices on Monday but still stands to be fined heavily by his mother PBA ballclub for missing more than a week in practice without informing the coaching staff or management.
Citing “family matters,” Abueva, before working out with the Aces, talked to coach Alex Compton and team manager Dickie Bachmann.
He also apologized to his teammates, whom he left hanging in a game against Star over the weekend.
Alaska is reeling from three straight defeats in the Governors’ Cup elimination round and the Aces don’t need distractions of this sort as they try to end the season on a high note and salvage their tournament with eight games left in their schedule.
But talking to team members will not spare Abueva from being fined heavily as he violated team policy by not informing anyone of his absence.
“We will talk about it,” Bachmann told the Inquirer when asked what kind of penalties Abueva will be facing from the team.
“Definitely, he violated team rules and we are very strict with those at Alaska.”
Bachmann also said “The Beast” will meet with team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu on Tuesday.
“We’re here to guide him and all of our players, actually, with whatever problems they are having—whether that is about basketball or family,” Bachmann said.
Bachmann said Abueva assured them that he was going to attend the practice of Gilas, which is preparing for the Fiba Asia Championship scheduled in Lebanon from Aug. 8 to 20.
Showing up on Monday night would save his spot in the national five and possibly give coach Chot Reyes the benefit of a full roster at practice with just over a week remaining for the regional showcase.
Abueva, who saw action for Gilas in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (Seaba) championship in Manila three months ago, is seen as a vital cog in the squad because of his versatility. He can play big despite his size and defend against smaller players because of his speed.
On Sunday night, Reyes issued an ultimatum to Abueva that he would be dropped from the team if he fails to show up on Monday for practice.
